Best Environmental Equitable Practices (BEEP) - Responsible Practices of Recreational Boat Operational is organized by Responsible Marine Tourism Program WWF-Indonesia, supported by Indonesia Recreational Boat Network (Jaringan Kapal Rekreasi Indonesia or JANGKAR) and academics.

Why is guideline for responsible recreational boat operational important? Traveling with recreational boat or liveaboard often sets destinations to remote andprotected area, which are unreachable from government supervision, with lack of facilities and infrastructures. Ecologically, those addressed locations areusually important for animals and certain ecosystem.

A good tourism governance of recreational boat is not only substantial to ensure safety of the tour activity itself, but also to maintain sustainability and beauty  of destination areas. Traveling with recreational boat also implies transferring tour activity inform land to the boat (above the water).

Various problems during boat operation can threaten the surrounding ecosystem. According to International Sustainable Travel in 2010, in water transportation context for recreational purpose, several researches proved that these problems can affect the environment.

For example, pollution from machine oil residue; waste production from boat crews and passengers; waste water from water use in the ship and contains detergent; air pollution from machine noise; use of antifouling paints which contain organotin compound (Ots), especially tributyltin (TBT) to protect the boat from barnacles; seafood consumption pattern; passengers’ activities from the boat such as diving, snorkeling, or fishing.

Therefore, one of the keys to reduce negative impacts towards marine ecosystem is by raising the awareness to manage recreational boat operation with the best standard. Through this guideline, recreational boat managers and passengers are expected to get clear explanation regarding best practices to reduce negative impact from tour activity towards marine ecosystem and its surrounding.